Garry Sobers — 722 Runs and 20 Wickets in the 1966 Series Against England

Sobers had succeeded Worrell as West Indies captain for the 1965 series against Australia, which West Indies won. The 1966 England tour was his captaincy's first full vindication.

West Indies arrived in England in 1966 as world champions in all but name, and Sobers — as batsman, captain and multiple bowling option — was their centrepiece. At Old Trafford he scored 161 in difficult conditions, outbatting everyone on both sides. At Headingley he made 174 in an England total of 240 — a 39-run deficit that reflected England's bowlers' inability to dismiss him in any sustained passage. He also bowled: left-arm orthodox spin in one spell, left-arm pace in another, and his quicker wrist-spin option in a third. His total of 20 wickets at 27.25 was exceeded by no West Indian bowler in the series. England managed only one victory — at Lord's, with Tom Graveney's 96 the best batting performance for the home side — and in the field they simply had no answer to Sobers's variety. He was 30, at the peak of his extraordinary gifts, and the 1966 series is the permanent exhibit of what he could do.

“Gary Sobers is the greatest cricketer that ever lived.”

“He played a different game from everyone else in 1966. We just couldn't get him out.”